ohmygosh! It’s STILL snowing in Portland. Wherever you are we hope you’re warm, healthy and don’t have one eye bulging out a la Ren & Stimpy due to the tremendous stress of neverending winter. Don’t worry, The BIG THAW is coming soon!

Today we get to ogle the work of Dunja von Stoddard aka DOONYAYA which is a just plain awesome name. The Doonyaya shop offers pot holders, sachets, cat toys, journals, postcards and beyond. Let’s take a little peek:

Colorful Catnip Toy!

Cat toys! Sometimes it’s a GOOD thing that a product gets tested on animals and these are one of those things. Apparently the felines go wild for these guys. I personally go wild for the fact that they’re not those creepy, hairy mice that my cats seem to bat around for a bit, ignore, and then they emerge months later from the sofa covered in fur and food. Doonyaya’s catnip toys do double duty as colorful accents while making your kitty go nutso for cat herbs. Fun!

Sooo many colors you may need to grab two!

Now might be a good time to mention that Dunja’s business tithe (10% of her profits) go to organizations that save and protect animals. So on top of all the niceness listed above you’re also doing your little part towards contributing to the health and happiness of other critters.

In the paper department, Doonyaya peddles journals and postcards. The latest work is inspired by Victorian culture and 60-80s pop culture. Pictures are worth a thousand words:

Journal Designs by Doonyaya

New!! Oversized Postcards from Doonyaya

So, basically once you’re done filling your shopping cart with all of the above you’ll probably like to see her potholders and sachets, complete with silk screened birds. Fresh clothes and fashionable casseroles, here I come!

Sachets by Doonyaya. Look at the kissing birds!

Potholders by Doonyaya. Owl and bird love!

So there you have it, folks. I had an opportunity to ask Dunja about how she heard about The BIG THAW and she had these lovely things to say about Maine artists and the Etsy Maine Team:

“I heard about The Big Thaw from joining the Maine Team through etsy. I am so impressed with how many artists and crafters there are in our State, and the team has been a great way to see what my fellow Mainiacs are doing. Having moved from New York, I’ve found Maine to be incredibly inspiring and supportive of artists. I am living the dream here, making things every day out of my garage-turned-studio, and getting encouragement and feedback from my small but mighty crafting community. I am excited about the Big Thaw because I always get inspired by what other artists are creating.“

Us, too, Dunja! And no lack of inspiration come Saturday, April 16th 10am-4pm at Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo St. for The BIG THAW!